Comments on: Onward, Christian Children

By: Joan Ball

Joan Ball — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:49:00 +0000

Hi Silentj: I cannot speak for others, but I was actually thinking about writing a piece on these two videos. I can’t share the theme, because I am not yet clear on how I would approach it. The easy thing to do would be to lob out criticism about the evils of extremism (Christian, atheist and others who embrace this particular brand of heavy-handed indoctrination) and use these clearly emotionally charged pieces as glaring (and sensationalist) examples to support my thesis. But, I generally find blindly bashing anything without having given it thoughtful attention to be little more than noise. What I know is that this is incredibly unfortunate. My husband and I actually sat discussing what it would be like if the little atheist girl and the little girl in the Jesus Camp video were in the same room together. It is a sad and frightening thought that has potentially devastating implications for the future.

By: john t.

john t. — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:13:40 +0000

Whatever happened to the old adage……….

“Two wrongs dont make a right’

By: john t.

john t. — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:04:49 +0000

The de-Convert

Wow………..Why cant people try to just let their Kids be Kids. That video was repulsive. Im not a perfect parent, but I can sure see when a Child is being used for someone elses agenda.

By: silentj

silentj — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 05:14:58 +0000

Joan,

Since, you’re a moderate, at least compared to Jesus Camp folks, at what point do you think you and others like you would speak out against this? I’m just wondering, as I think the moderate Christians have a huge stake in how things will go with this “chosen generation.”

(no pressure! )

By: Samanthamj

Samanthamj — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 03:41:22 +0000

Well – I didn’t go to Jesus camp – but, probably pretty damn close to it. I do feel as though I was “indoctrined”… and I DID buy it all as a child. I DID try to “save” the world, and believed with my heart and soul in Jesus.

As I grew, my beliefs changed… but, it was a long, confusing struggle. A battle that I think I’ve only in the last few years finally been able to really understand and lay to rest.

I DO feel like I was “played” and used as a child by my mother, and other adults from church, etc. And, it was and is wrong to play on a child’s desire to please and do “right”… and use fear and guilt… to the extremes they were used on me… or any other child.

~smj

By: Joan Ball

Joan Ball — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 03:24:31 +0000

Both Jesus Camp and the video of the other little girl break my heart…

By: silentj

silentj — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 21:44:34 +0000

Here’s the big problem of challenging Christian indoctrination, even in its extreme form: If you’re a moderate Christian, you’re probably not going to attack these camps, as you open yourself up to be targeted for being a luke warm Christian or a traitor. I’m sure many moderate parents would question these camps amongst friends. But how many of them will come out publicly and say, “this is wrong?”

Yet, if the moderate Christians don’t denounce these camps, secular groups and other religions have no chance, as America is a Christian majority.

All I know is, these camps raise new questions about how I’m going to let my kids interact with Christians and where I’ll let them go.

By: CheezChoc

CheezChoc — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 21:36:45 +0000

Have any of you read the book by Julia Scheeres called Jesus Land ? In it, she describes the horrific, primitive conditions of the boot camp/reform school that she and her brother were sent to by their zealous parents. Given what goes on in such camps, it’s hard to believe that it’s legal to send one’s kids to them, and what the camp directors are allowed to get away with. They are generally run by New horizons Youth ministries.

By: orDover

orDover — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 21:36:05 +0000

In defense of O’Reilly (never thought I’d type that phrase), Christian indoctrination is not mentioned in the context of the you tube girl’s video. Exactly. He doesn't mention Christian indoctrination, but he does mention atheistic indoctrination. He very obviously doesn't get the connection between the two, which is one reason that the video is so upsetting. He doesn't see how the exact words he uses, "emotional abuse" etc., are the same that atheists a la Dawkins use to argue against Christian indoctrination.

By: silentj

silentj — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 21:02:49 +0000

The de-Convert,

Yeah, watching the Jesus Camp videos got me watching a bunch of other related bits this morning. Very interesting stuff.